|
Howell coach Turns Passion into Children's Books
By Keith Hagarty
 |
| --Photo By Kieth Hagarty Combining his love of baseball with his charitable, compassionate spirit, Howell South Little League coach Bob Salomon can't contain his boundless enthusiasm for the launch of his first children's book, "A Glove Of Their Own." |
|
"In our town there's a park, with an oak tree so tall / We meet there each day, so we can play ball / This spot is home plate for our everyday game / Sticks are the bases; they work just the same."
Those four simple lines begin the heartfelt tale of sportsmanship and compassion found in the new children's book "A Glove of Their Own."
Harnessing a lifelong love and passion for baseball, Howell South Little League coach Bob Salomon, 40, is proud to be one of the driving forces behind the book.
Married with two children, Daniel, 9, and Julia, 5, Salomon received the first galleys of the book two months ago. After being completely immersed in the creation of the project since last October, Salomon said it was a surreal moment for both him and his family.
"When that first came to the door, my wife teared up," he said. "It was amazing when after a year of work; we finally saw that finished product."
In fact, his son, a pitcher in Howell South Little League, gave his own two-cents for what he wanted to see on the cover of the book. A photograph of him even served as the model for one of the players.
"He said you want to see kids (on the cover) pitching, hitting and actually playing ball," Salomon said of his son's input. "It's just great. He loved it, and got so excited seeing the cover, saying, 'that's me pitching!'"
Copies of the book have already received rousing accolades from several major league baseball players, including New York Mets' star Jose Reyes, legendary Houston Astros' second baseman Craig Biggio and current players Sean Casey of the Boston Red Sox, and Robb Quinlan of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
"'A Glove of their Own' is a great story about baseball and life, and how many gifts can come as surprises," said Biggio. "People are kind, and love our number one pastime—baseball."
Receiving such praise for the book has been overwhelming for Salomon, who said the character of the professional players involved has been even more impressive, embodying what good role models should be for the kids.
"They're all good guys," he said. "They're all clean-cut, do-the-right-thing kind of guys."
Like the producer of a movie, Salomon developed and collaborated on the book with newcomer children's authors Debbie Moldovan, Keri Conkling and Lisa Funari-Willever, a publisher at Franklin Mason Press. Lauren Lambiase provided the illustrations.
"It's driven by faith, and the most important part is to line yourself up with aces," Salomon said of his partnership. "There's no greed involved, and they're in there for the right reasons. That's my team—my publisher, my two authors, my Web designer— my whole team is aces."
Working as a state employee, Salomon said he had never even conceived of the possibility that he someday would be contributing to children's literature, let alone helping to organize and launch such an undertaking.
"When I read the (first draft) of the book, I said what it's missing is Keri's heartfelt way she writes," he said. "I thought if (the authors) could combine and listen to what I orchestrate, then I thought we could have a winner."
Being a novice to the book publishing industry, Salomon said he never knew getting his story into print would prove to be such a daunting task.
"It's a million-in-one shot to get a book published, and I didn't know that," he said.
Getting in contact with Funari-Willever, the publisher of the book, proved to be a turning point for the project, according to Salomon.
"She gave me a little insight into book publishing, and was very kind," he said. "I told her no matter what I need to do, I need her involved, and I guess she liked my hype and excitement and got involved. She revamped the story, and got me the three authors. So now I have a professional, two newcomers, and there's the book."
Ten cents from the sale of each book will automatically be donated to three partner charities for the book—Good Sports, Pitch In For Baseball and Sports Gift—in an effort to make sure children across the nation have a glove of their own.
Other charities benefiting from book sales include: Kids In Distressed Situations, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, the Sunshine Foundation, Cheerful Givers, Pitch In For Baseball, the Lakewood BlueClaws and USA Cares.
Those purchasing the book via the official Web site, www.agolveoftheirown.com, can designate the remaining $3 of their donation by using codes available on the site.
"At check out, the buyer has an option in a drop down menu to enter their favorite charity, and $3 will go to that charity from the sale," said Salomon.
In addition, when any of the network of groups sell a book through their own fundraising efforts, an additional $3 per book sold will be given back to any school or non-profit organization that joins up, including the Howell South Little League, who also has a code on the Web site.
The Little League and their president, Bill O'Toole, were big supporters of the book from day one, said Salomon.
"He's a really good guy and gets what it's all about," Salomon said of O'Toole. "He was the first one to see the vision."
Salomon is eager to teach the next generation the importance of giving back by becoming aware of those around us who would otherwise go without.
"This book is the vehicle that will drive us to deliver new and used sporting goods equipment or funds to children in need," he said.
Once the book is up and running, Salomon also plans on traveling to the Dominican Republic to hand out free gloves and baseball equipment to children in the impoverished nation.
"A lot of the current (major league) players are from down there, and we want to help get those kids equipment where they might not ever have any," he said. "I can't wait to expose my family to that. I think that life lesson alone is going to be amazing."
Some of the notable sporting goods companies who have already joined the book's charitable cause include Rawlings, Louisville Slugger and Modell's, and even more in the works.
In addition, the book has already been accepted into the Louisville Slugger Hall of Fame, with Salomon and the authors scheduled to do a signing at the ceremonial event.
With over 500 phone calls to companies each week, looking to further bolster the growing support network for the book's cause, Salomon said after countless rejections, his persistence and positive attitude is finally paying off.
"If it's about the children and helping them out, then I'm not stopping," he said, never daunted by the overwhelming task. "I knew that the more I got denied, the more I said to myself, 'oh man, I've got to get this.'"
With everyone close to him accustomed to now seeing a telephone all but glued to his ear 24-7, Salomon said he never had any doubts about the eventual success of the entire project.
"I'm putting all these companies together, and it just keeps on going and going and going," he said. "That's what the whole book is all about: helping one another … I think we're going to have a grand slam here."
For organizations looking to join the cause, contact Salomon at Agototellus@aol.com.
| 
)